Big Spring elects Duncan, passes school bond

Published 7:00 pm, Friday, May 7, 2010

BIG SPRING — Big Spring residents voted in Tommy Duncan on Saturday as their new mayor to replace Russ McEwen, who has held the office for the past decade.

Receiving 1,592 votes or 55.55 percent, Duncan beat out McEwen, who received 1,069 votes or 37.3 percent, Shannon Thomason, who received 153 votes or 5.34 percent and Oscar Velasco with 52 votes or 1.81 percent.

This was his first try at a public office position, Duncan told the Reporter-Telegram earlier this week. A retired chief executive officer for detention services, he previously worked for the Department of Justice in the south central region of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Duncan had said he believes the taxes in Big Spring are too high and would like to see the budget brought back into line and city bonds paid down.

"I felt like our city was going in the wrong direction," he previously told the Reporter-Telegram.

McEwen had said that he wanted one last term in office and that several renovation and revitalization projects, including the Settles Hotel, need his expertise and he would like to see through to conclusion.

Big Spring residents also approved a $60 million bond for the Big Spring Independent School District — with 1,788 votes or 60.59 percent for it and 1,163 or 39.41 against it. It will require a tax increase of approximately 35 cents.